The battle for control of the troubled Emfuleni Local Municipality took centre stage on Wednesday as incumbent ANC mayor Hassan Mako and DA mayoral candidate Kingsol Chabalala cast their votes, with both expressing confidence in the outcome of the local government elections.
The two voted at separate voting stations in the Vaal, with Mako pointing to the work undertaken since his appointment in June and Chabalala promising to overhaul the municipality's finances and administration should the DA take control.
Mako cast his vote at the Apostolic Church in Zone 7, Sebokeng, Ward 38, where he expressed confidence in the ANC's record since taking office on June 10.
“My vote is not a secret. I have voted for the African National Congress as a member of the African National Congress”
Mako acknowledged the service delivery complaints facing his administration but said work had already begun to address some of the problems.
“We have demonstrated, since we assumed office on the 10th of June, that we are a listening organisation. We have tried to respond to the needs of our people,” he said.
Mako pointed to road grading, drain cleaning, streetlight repairs and grass cutting as some of the measures undertaken by his administration.
Meanwhile, Chabalala cast his vote at Mojala-Thuto Primary School in Small Farm, Sebokeng, where he criticised the ANC's management of Emfuleni.
“I think the importance of my vote signals my intention to end the chaos that is currently happening in Emfuleni and ensure that Emfuleni communities get the services that they're deserving,” Chabalala said.
The DA candidate said his first 100 days in office would focus on reviewing the municipality's finances, assessing infrastructure projects and addressing staff shortages.
“I think it's not a question of if; it's a question of when, which is from the fifth,” he said when asked about his plans should he become mayor.
Chabalala also raised concerns about residents struggling to obtain proof of residence documents, which are required for school registrations, opening bank accounts and other administrative processes.
He said councillors needed to be held accountable for assisting residents with these documents.
Asked whether the DA would consider coalition arrangements if it failed to secure an outright majority, Chabalala ruled out such discussions.
“Coalitions are not in our vocabulary. We are not thinking about coalitions. The only thing we are thinking about is an outright majority.”
Chabalala, who insisted the DA was seeking an outright majority, had a final message for the incumbent mayor.
“Hassan can start clearing out his office.”